Is fostering a pet still an option?

[u/Muted-Librarian9098]

I want a pet but I cannot commit to years as I do not know where I’ll end up. Is foster for periods at a time still a thing?

Edit: wow thank you sm for all of the replies, is there anything I need to know/do before fostering?

[u/BothArmsBruised]

Yes. Reach out to any volunteer animal rescue and ask them if they are taking on foster homes.

[u/unimpressedwarrior]

The Saratoga animal shelter has been in capacity for a few weeks. I bet they would love another foster.

[u/mrssmuckers]

Kitten Angels and H.O.P.E are good organizations that foster.

[u/alldogs1850]

We need foster people at Mohawk Hudson! 

[u/PoppyBee27]

Yes! Homeward Bound is always looking for fosters! I have done it a couple times.

[u/faceoh]

what are you looking to foster? You can always sign up for fostering at Mohawk. Spring and summer is peak for kittens. Dogs are on as needed basis.

[u/Muted-Librarian9098 → u/faceoh]

Honestly I’m pretty open minded. I’ve never fostered before, can the process be done in person?

[u/faceoh → u/Muted-Librarian9098]

So cats and kittens are done at home. The shelter provides all the supplies and vet care and you just keep them in house. They are a 2-3 month commitment as you are providing shelter to a mom and her babies until the babies are big enough to be adopted/returned to the shelter.

Dogs are generally also at home but are for more behavioral issues like fear or aggression. They are also less common and shelter's main foster opportunities are for cats and especially kittens.

Alternatively, if you are not comfortable with keeping animals at home just volunteering at the shelter to walk dogs and clean cages is also valuable to shelters.

I don't have experience with dogs but if you are curious about fostering kittens Kitten Lady on youtube has a very helpful video on that. Note orphan kittens are completely different as they require round the clock care (fed every few hours) while mom cat and kittens is more monitoring the family to ensure the babies are gaining weight and the mom cat is nursing and cleaning the kittens and stepping in as needed.

Ultimately if you are curious at all just fill out an application on their website. When I filled it out a few years ago I had to watch a few webinars on kitten care as that's what I signed up for. The shelter is always very gracious about if you need to return a foster for any reason (eg care required is beyond what you are comfortable with providing)

[u/Foofiegirl]

My husband and I fostered dogs for years, it’s extremely rewarding! The rescue covered any vet bills and we had the dogs for about a month on average. We had our own dogs so the foster would learn from our dogs. Feel free to reach out if you have questions!

[u/Muted-Librarian9098 → u/Foofiegirl]

How often would you have to bring them to the vet?

[u/Foofiegirl → u/Muted-Librarian9098]

Depended on what they needed. Most often spay or neuter and shots. Bring them once to get caught up on everything so they’re in good shape to get adopted

[u/slwrthnu_again]

Yes I have friends that foster animals.

[u/AdJumpy4461]

I truly respect those who are able to foster a sweet animal and let it go back for a new loving home . Anything that ever comes into my home simply is not allowed to leave. Ever.

[u/Ok_thyme_3396]

Yes ! Orange Street Cats will talk to you on the phone and answer questions

[u/Serious-ResearchX]

Yes, plenty of strays out there. Just boot them back outside like everyone else if you need to move or no longer want to feed them.

[u/Muted-Librarian9098 → u/Serious-ResearchX]

Oh no that sounds really terrible and traumatic. I know you mean well but that can be very dangerous.